RFID Tag Direct Connection Protocol for Efficient Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current RFID systems require extensive communication between RFID tags and readers to determine connectivity, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential disruptions in critical applications, such as medical or industrial settings, where accurate connection tracking is vital.

Innovation Solution

Implementing direct tag-to-tag communication protocols that allow RFID tags to exchange identification information directly, reducing the need for extensive communication with the reader and ensuring connectivity is established without burdening the reader with multiple queries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If RFID reader performs extensive queries to discover communication components, then connection tracking accuracy is improved, but communication efficiency deteriorates due to multiple commands and responses required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection tracking accuracyVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID tag autonomously determines connection status by detecting the presence of a connected device and generating connection status information without requiring the RFID reader to perform extensive queries. The tag self-manages the connection discovery process, eliminating the need for multiple reader commands and responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The connection discovery function is extracted from the RFID reader and transferred to the RFID tag. Instead of the reader performing extensive queries to discover connections, the tag itself performs the discovery and reports back, reducing the communication overhead between reader and tag.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If RFID system uses extensive reader queries to determine connectivity, then connection status detection is improved, but system response time deteriorates due to multiple communication steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection status detectionVSAvoidsystem response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID tag performs connection status determination in advance by continuously monitoring for the presence of connected devices. When a connection is established or broken, the tag has already detected it and can immediately report the status, eliminating the time delay associated with multiple reader queries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The tag autonomously monitors connection status and prepares the information ready for reader retrieval, eliminating the need for the reader to perform time-consuming discovery queries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If RFID tag communicates connection status directly without reader intervention, then communication efficiency is improved, but reliability deteriorates if tag is inaccessible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidconnection tracking reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an intermediary approach where the RFID tag serves as the primary communicator of connection status, but the RFID reader maintains the ability to perform verification queries. This dual-path approach ensures that if the tag is inaccessible, the reader can still attempt to determine connection status through alternative methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares for potential tag inaccessibility by maintaining redundant communication paths and verification mechanisms. The reader can fall back on alternative discovery methods if the tag does not respond, providing a cushion against single-point failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS9652708B2Protocol for communications between a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and a connected device, and related systems and methods
Publication Date: 2017.05.16 FIBER MOUNTAIN INC
  • US9652708B2 patent drawing
  • US9652708B2 patent drawing
  • US9652708B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Protocols, systems, and methods are disclosed for at least one RFID tag and a device, to communicate with each other using direct connections, wherein the at least one RFID tag and the device are configured to mate and directly exchange identification information. A message comprising a tag identification may be sent directly from the RFID tag to the device, and the RFID tag may receive a first acknowledgement from the device if the first tag identification was correctly received. A connection may be detected between the RFID tag and the device prior to directly exchanging information. The exchange of information may include sending data from the device to the RFID tag.